UNIQUE ANNIVERSARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 119, 21 April 1936, Page 11

UNIQUE ANNIVERSARY.

SIXTY-FIVE YEARS MARRIED. It is a far cry from the time when sod huts stood where the tramway services now operate in Cathedral Square, Christcimrch —a matter of about 80 years —but among the diminishing band of pioneers who retain lively memories of those other days are a couple who, progressing with tile Dominion in its growth, have preserved a vitality in keeping with the spirit that motivated them in their youth. They are Mr and Mrs. Charles Cleaver, of Normanby, Taranaki, who are known in Palmerston North, and who, on Thursday, will celebrate the 65th anniversary of their wedding. Mr and Mrs Cleaver, who will be 87 and 84 years of age respectively this year, arrived at LytteJton ' witu their parents at about the age of five, living in the sod huts that presaged the development of the beautiful city of to-day. For about 40 years they resided in . Canterbury, chiefly at AYoodend and Fernside, farming various properties, and 37 years ago moved to Taranaki, where they have since resided. Their's has been no sinecure, but, like so many other pioneers, they have apparently thriven by their experiences, for to-day they are both in the very best of health and have rarely suffered an illness of any kind. In fact, so well-preserved are they that when the grand march is commenced at the family reunion _ .they will lead it off and participate in the subsequent merriment. It will be a happy reunion, indeed, when the thirteen surviving members of their family, together with their 19 greatgrandchildren and G 3 grand-children, gather to celebrate the anniversary. The Normanby Domain has been engaged for an all-day sports gathering, and at night a banquet and ball will be held, when the old couple will be suitably feted. Those who will be attending the function .as-mem»*3i-t. uf the family are as follow:—Messrs A. Cleaver, Palmerston North, wi.om his parents have visited frequently; E. Cleaver, Eltham; W. Cleaver, Waverlev; H. Cleaver, Te Kuiti; J. Cleaver, Whakatane; G. Cleaver, Eltham ; S. Cleaver, Waverley; Mesdames. H. Free, Eltham; K. Meyer, Dargaville; J Marx, Awakino; 0. Marx, Auckland; W. Smidt, Lower Hutt; and| A. Smidt, Eltham • ■ Mr and Mrs A. Cleaver, of Argyle Avenue, and Mr and Mrs G. H. Syversen, of Longburn, are visitiug Taranaki to participate in the celebrations.